Anti-Saudi Arabian sentiment

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Anti-Saudi sentiment or Anti-Saudi Arabian sentiment refers to the historical and current resentment towards Saudi Arabia, Saudis, or Culture of Saudi Arabia. It's also called as Saudiophobia and Anti-Saudiism.

Anti-Saudi sentiment has been exclusive and widely practiced among other countries in the world, which has shown a great disapproval of what Saudi Arabia is doing. Some reasons leading to anti-Saudi sentiment includes human rights abuse, censorship, terrorism and more specifically, Salafism. Many countries, including Muslim ones, have long viewed Saudi Arabia as an evil oasis which is the cause of global terrorism and fear in the world.

History

In 19th century, after the First Saudi State was demolished by the Ottoman Empire in the Wahhabi War, the Ottomans accused the Saud family for its religious terrorism and intolerance, and had executed a number of Saudi religious leadership. This was the first time anti-Saudi sentiment was directly demonstrated. Due to the Saudis being majority followers of Wahhabism, an extreme version of Islam, this gave birth to the modern anti-Saudi sentiment.

Since 20th century and the booming of oil industry, Saudi Arabia became the world's largest oil producer and is one of the richest countries in the world. Using money from producing oil, Saudi Arabia began a series of Salafization process, funding, building and establishing Salafi-based institutions and mosques not just in the Muslim world, but also in non-Muslim countries. As for the result, Saudi Arabia-funded institutions were thought to have given birth of Islamic terrorism which led to a growing criticisms from not just only in non-Muslim world, but even from Muslim states which accused Saudi Arabia as the cause of spreading terrorism, thus marked the height of Saudiophobia, despite Saudi efforts to whitewash its image.

Anti-Saudi sentiment also stemmed from many Muslim countries that Saudi Arabia is seen as a "Zionist entity" allying with Israel and to cause destabilization across the other Muslim nations, and Zionism is also frequently used to connect Saudi Arabia as an ally of Israel and traitor of Islam, worsening the perception of Saudi Arabia. Some believed that, if not for Saudi Arabia, Islam would not be hated so much like today and Islamophobia was the result of Saudi terrorism.

By countries

Muslim world

In Muslim countries, with exception of the Gulf in majority (outside Qatar), most Muslim countries hold Saudi Arabia responsible for the corruption of Islam, its betrayal of Palestinian cause and the rise of global Islamophobia, blaming Saudi Arabia for all the messes in the Islamic world.

Egypt

Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt's first President, stated that "Shoe has more honor than the Crown of Saudi Arabia" and condemned Saudi Arabia for its hypocrisies.

Many Egyptians also held strong disdain against Saudi Arabia, accusing it for being the source of all terrorism in the world, since Saudi Arabia had refused to support Egypt in its conflicts with Israel and further more, sided with anti-Egyptian forces in the North Yemen Civil War. Many Egyptians also believe Saudi Arabia is responsible for corruption of Islam in Egypt and spread of intolerance, to its backing for Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the current military dictator of Egypt. Egypt also refused to back Saudi-led anti-Iranian coalition in fear that Saudi Arabia might use Egypt as a shield for its interests, further highlighting the fear of Saudi interference in Egypt.

Algeria

Many Algerians harbor that Saudi Arabia was directly responsible for the Algerian Civil War, and the spread of terrorism in Algeria has part dated back from Saudi Arabia's lucrative role on sponsoring the Islamists, many would go radicalized and become core of Al-Qaeda there.

Thus, in Algeria, depiction of Saudis have been centered around the fact that Saudi Arabia is a terrorist and dangerous country with restless terrorism, led to a growing wave of anti-Saudi sentiment especially since Mohammed Bin Salman era.

Afghanistan

Ahmad Shah Massoud, who fought the Afghan Civil War, stated that Saudi Arabia was the reason why Taliban could sustain such a long war, and called for war against Saudi Arabia and its interest because of Saudi terrorist ideology. Many Afghans also harbor its disdain against Saudi Arabia because of terrorism in the country.

Iraq

Iraq has a long tensions toward Saudi Arabia, dated back from 1950s. However, it only exploded during the Gulf War, when Iraq launched a military invasion against Kuwait, the ally of Saudi Arabia. Saddam Hussein had called for war against Saudi Arabia, accusing the state as infidel who stabbed Iraq from the back.

In modern contemporary era, Saudi Arabia is still being depicted negatively in Iraq, many Iraqis believe the rise of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant as well as other terrorist groups, are the work of Saudi clergy and Islamic institutions.

Palestine

For Palestinians, accusation against Saudi Arabia has been mostly direct toward Saudi Arabia's close relationship with Israel which is regarded as enemy by many Palestinians.

After Saudi blogger and a government supporter, Mohammed Saud, arrived to Israel in accordance on boosting Saudi–Israeli relations, Palestinians had reacted furiously and considered it an act of Saudi hypocrisies, the worst thing Saudi Arabia could do.

Turkey

See also: Wahhabi War

Turkey has one of the least favorite rate toward Saudi Arabia among Muslim world, and this was stemmed from the Ottoman past when the Ottomans destroyed the First Saudi State and beheaded many Saudi leaders. For this reason, Saudi Arabia has always been perceived in a negative light by the Turks.

Another evidences of growing hostility against Saudis among Turks came from the Saudi education attempt to erase the Ottoman past, its authoritarianism and there are still a great lack of respect for women among Saudis in Turkey. Some Turks also believed, the Saudis have been supported by the West to provide terrorism, further strained the relations between the Turks and Saudis. Racism against Saudis are widespread in Turkey.

Iran

See also: Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict

Iran and Saudi Arabia has a long history of antagonism against each other. While it was rooted from history of Arab conquest, it became tense since the Iranian Revolution and Iranian desire to expand its revolution to other Muslim countries.

In Iran, regardless the position of the Iranian Government and Iranian people, both share a similar hostility against Saudi Arabia. While the Islamic regime of Iran considers Saudi Arabia as a Western stooge, infidel and un-Islamic; the Iranian population regards Saudi Arabia as the source of global terrorism and its hawkish desire to create war against Iran. It is mingled together to create a nationalist and Islamist frontier and Saudi Arabia became a scapegoat by Iranian hardliners.

Tunisia

Many Tunisians have long disapproved Saudi influence and its regime, considering it as a terrible government. Furthermore, Tunisia is supportive of Arab Spring movement which started from Tunisia, while Saudi Arabia is hostile against it, thus lead to the growing tensions between Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

Tunisians have objected Mohammed Bin Salman's visit in 2018, considering it a human right violation and a direct fear of growing Saudi meddling on Tunisian affairs.

Yemen

See also: Saudi–Yemeni War (1934) and Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen

There is a long-standing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, in particular after the Yemeni war with Saudi Arabia in 1934. Some Yemeni nationalists believed they are the rightful owners of Najran, Asir and Jizan; the Saudis were foreigners who stole its ancestral lands. This gave birth for anti-Saudi sentiment in Yemen. This, in particular, has also been seen from the Houthi movement, a Zaydi Shi'a-based movement mingled with Yemeni nationalism that desired to re-draw the border and reclaim its territories from Saudi Arabia. It became frequent since the Yemeni Civil War and subsequent Saudi air raids against the Houthis.

Syria

See also: Saudi Arabian involvement in the Syrian Civil War

There is also a strong anti-Saudi sentiment in Syria, in particular since the Syrian Civil War, although it had dated back from 20th century. Saudi Arabia has armed and trained the army of the Free Syrian Army in hope to expel the forces loyal to dictator Bashar al-Assad, but because of its alignment with ISIS funding, Saudi Arabia became the target for all calamities in Syria.

Due to terrorist bases in Syria have links with Saudi Arabia, the U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has accused Saudi Arabia for terrorizing Syria and arming ISIS, and demanded Saudi Arabia to get out of Syria.

Qatar

See also: Qatar diplomatic crisis

Qatar and Saudi Arabia had once been in line until 2017 when Saudi Arabia cut tie with Qatar and ignited regional tensions. Due to this, hostility against Saudis increased among Qataris, who saw Saudi Arabia as traitor who worked in greed of interests disregarding Gulf unity.

Anti-Saudi postures are increasingly found in Qatari-backed media and propaganda which was the result of restless tensions between two states.

Morocco

Although Saudi Arabia and Morocco have a fine relations, Moroccans have long been cautious of Saudi influence because of its Salafism. Saudi Arabia has always been distrusted by Moroccan nationalists, ranged from its Islamic doctrine, its terrorism, Palestine and Arab disunity. However, it came to peak in 2017 when Saudi Arabia, displeased with Morocco's neutrality over Qatar, began to broadcast a series of media disregarding Moroccan territorial control over Western Sahara, refusing to back Morocco in 2026 FIFA World Cup bids and warming relations with rival Algeria. This had increased hostility against Saudis and Moroccans had chanted anti-Saudi jeers, booed Saudi anthem in 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Indonesia

A part of Indonesian Muslims belong to the traditional Sufism, while Salafism has arrived by recent years due to close tie between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. This prompted the rise of religious intolerance, as Indonesians of Sufi faith has reacted with hostility against increasing Indonesian Salafis, who accused Salafis for ruining Indonesian traditions. Indonesian Salafis and Sufis have been living uncomfortably together, marking by the fact of heavy disputes between their versions of faith in the country. There have been a recent rise of clashes between Salafists and Sufi orders in the country.

As Salafism has a strong backup from Saudi Arabia, tensions loomed. Following the Surabaya bombings in 2018, Indonesian Muslims had spread anti-Saudi sentiment in accordance to its extreme disdains to Saudi Arabia's infiltration into Indonesian society.

Rest of the world

Like many Muslim countries, non-Muslim nations view Saudi Arabia with a great disdain due to human right issues, its terrorist background and oil money. Negative about Saudi Arabia has frequently ranged from political bribery to killing of dissidents, as well as terrorism and Salafist funding crackdowns.

United States

Although being a strong ally of Saudi Arabia, majority of Americans dislike Saudi Arabia and it ranges from government officials to even American population. Many Americans believed Saudi Arabia was behind the September 11 attack. While the U.S. Government, especially under Donald Trump has sought to preserve this relationship, anti-Saudi measures have been several times passed in the United States Congress as a response for ongoing Saudi terrorist links and destabilization in the region.

Australia

Many Australians hold Saudis as uneducated, uncivilized, immoral, terrorists and incapable, as demonstrated by its disrespecting behaviors during the 2018 World Cup qualification encounter between two nations when the host offered one minute silence for victims of 2017 London Bridge attack.

China

Although being friendly, Chinese, likewise, are skeptical of Saudi Arabia, demonstrated by its lingering distrust on Saudi government due to its link to Islamic terrorism. Recent Saudi investment in China, notably its Muslim population, was initially welcomed by the Chinese government as an exchange for Saudi Arabia's support to join One Belt, One Road initiative, but it soon became a frightening moment when a growing number of mosques in China had become increasingly flooded with Salafist and Wahhabist doctrines. This has prompted China to begin monitoring and restricting Islamic activities, resulting with persecution of many Muslims, including Salafis, as Chinese officials cannot distinguish the differences between Islamic sects in the country.

Nigeria

See also: Islamic extremism in Northern Nigeria

Nigeria is a country with half of its population are Muslims and half of its are Christians. This dynamic population often resulted in religious clashes among Muslims and Christians, in particular due to recent Saudi involvement on the rise of Izala Society, which has been seen to have spread Saudi influence. The Izala Society were believed to have influenced Boko Haram into radicalisation process, although unlike Boko Haram, Izala is more acceptance to the plural and dynamic society of Nigeria.

India

Currently, India and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed a friendly relationship, with Saudi Arabia remains silent over the issues regarding Kashmir, large Muslim population of India and have recently participated in movement against anti-Indian sentiment. However, the relationship between two have been much rocky at start.

During the series of Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts, Saudi Arabia had supported its rival Pakistan in all conflicts, especially during 1965 and 1971 wars when Saudi Arabia delivered the most arms to Pakistan. This has often prompted distrust against Saudi Arabia among Indians, even among Indian Muslims.

In 2020, Saudi religious scholars have called for expulsion of Indian Hindus from the Gulf. This has prompted criticisms in India.

Canada

Following the political disputes between Canada and Saudi Arabia in 2018 over human rights, Saudi Arabia has launched an anti-Canadian campaign, defaming Canada in process by expelling Canadian ambassador, recalling students back home to the women's rights. This had left to anger and spat among Canadians and led to the surge of anti-Saudi sentiment in Canada.

United Kingdom

In 2020, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Saudi Arabia over human rights' abuse, this was the first time an anti-Saudi act was passed by the British government.

Russia

Distrust against Saudi Arabia began during the Second Chechen War, when Chechen Salafists, led by Shamil Basayev, invaded (and failed) Dagestan. The Chechen invasion was a watershed moment that fueled Russian military campaigns against Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, as, by 1999, had become increasingly influenced by Saudi Arabia's Salafism. Saudi Arabia was also found to have financed Arab Mujahideen in Chechnya in order to make the region fall into prey of Saudi Wahhabism. Due to this, after Russia reconquered Chechnya in 2000, Russia has begun a series of anti-Salafist process to remove all Saudi and Wahhabi traits in Russia.

In 2016, Russia hiddenly approved an Islamic conference held in Grozny, where Russian officials, including many Muslim scholars, openly denounced Saudi Arabia, thus sparked tensions between Russia and Saudi Arabia over Islamic hegemony.

Germany

Saudi Arabia's open support for Salafists have recently strained relationship with Germany, who has been reluctant to participate in conflict regarding the Middle East, with German officials found that Saudi Arabia is funding Islamic extremism in German universities.

Sri Lanka

Following the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings, where Saudi-linked group surfaced as mastermind of the bombing following a leaked information and alleged Saudi support for the attack, Sri Lanka started to shut down mosques with links to Saudi Arabia.

France

France has the largest Muslim population in Europe, by far counted from 5-8% of its population. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been investing to the Muslim community of France, where it also helped spreading Islamic radicalism in France. This has sparked criticism over Saudi Arabia's infiltration attempt and prompted France to take a more restriction on Saudi Arabia's religious activities.

Connection to anti-Salafism/Wahhabism

Main article: International propagation of Salafism and Wahhabism

Scholars have pointed out about the strong connection of Salafi movement to the rise of anti-Saudi sentiment. As Saudi Arabia is the largest sponsor of Salafi Islam, it is also the culprit, in majority, for the increasing Islamic radicalisation and terrorism. Thus, as a result of increasing resentment, attacking against Saudi interests often comes together with attacking against Salafist and Wahhabist Islamism as part of wider Islamic dilemma. Thus, anti-Saudi Arabian sentiment is often synonymous with anti-Salafism/anti-Wahhabism.

Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict's analyst Nava Nuraniyah has commented about this connection after observing an anti-Salafi campaign in Aceh that "Traditionalists see themselves being swamped by Salafi groups that flocked to Aceh after the 2004 tsunami," and, as for the result, inner struggle between Islamic sect often went violent "They claim to be opposing ‘Wahhabi’ intolerance, but their own campaign risks becoming intolerant as they mobilise supporters to attack modernist mosques and schools."

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has been accused of doing very little to stop its spreading, and even pointing out how Saudi Arabia actually rallies to help spreading it. As in Turkey and Indonesia for examples, Salafist schools, with funds from Saudi Arabia, have a paralyzing effect on the disunity among Muslim sects and creating divisive situation where Salafists often try to confirm its "purity" of Islamism and rejecting other sects. There were attempts by Saudi Arabia to contain the spreading of Salafism, but since it has occupied too much power within the Saudi clergy and its Islamic institution to a point it became a sacred part of Saudi Arabia, it has been unsuccessful by large.

The recent repression by Mohammed Bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince, has also led to the growing boycott of Saudi control over Mecca and Medina.

There has been criticism over comparison of Saudi Arabia to Salafist terrorism. According from the New York Times's Mohammed Alyahya, it is not just Salafist-based terrorists, but also a lot of Deobandi terrorist group, notably Taliban, that responsible for the messes, and defending Saudi Arabia for its role on safeguarding security.

View from Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia considers anti-Saudi sentiment a form of racism and discrimination and has rejected notion of Saudi Arabia being discriminated, and that Saudi Arabia has been an innocent country that doesn't spread hatred or segregation in spite of criticisms on the Kingdom. Virtually, this is common to see Saudi citizens publishing support to the government's policies and defending it from all form of criticism, to even spreading about Saudi Arabia being the rightful guardian of truth and justice, and dismissed all international reports about the country, as it was example by the mourning of Abdulaziz Al-Fagham, a Saudi bodyguard, for his protection to the royal family.

See also

• Sufi–Salafi relations
• Arabophobia
• Racism

External links

• Saudi Arabia: Terrorist Financing Issues
• The Quartermasters Of Terror: Saudi Arabia and the Global Islamic Jihad
• Saudi Arabia and Counter-terrorism: Rooting out the Weeds of Extremism
• It’s Time for Saudi Arabia to Stop Exporting Extremism
• THE SAUDI CONNECTION: Wahhabism and Global Jihad
• Qatar’s Anti-Saudi Seeds of the Islamist Quartet
• The Saudi–Turkish antagonism
• Iranian and Saudi Cultural and Religious Identities: Constructivist Perspective

I do believe anti-Saudi Arabian exist, and I don't think denying it can help either.

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